Search from various English teachers...
Emil Khalikov
Any tips on starting learning Japanese?

Hi!

I've recently started learning Japanese and wanted to ask if anybody has good advice on where to start, maybe some useful tips or resources.

Thanks in advance!

Dec 11, 2017 6:02 PM
Comments · 7
5
Resources:

Online Dictionary:

Loecsen Japanese Expressions (with audio):

Goethe-Verlag Japanese Language Course (with audio & exercises):

Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese (basic grammar and vocabulary):

Mainichi Shimbun (news):

Kanji List for JLPT:

Book (you can order this on Amazon): 
Minna no Nihongo

Japan Foundation in Russia:

:)
December 15, 2017
4
Here are some tips (that worked for me):
1) Master writing the Japanese alphabet - both hiragana & katakana. Write it on paper so you'll know the stroke order. This strategy will train your long-term brain memory and your muscle memory at the same time. 
2) Learn at least 300 words from the Japanese word frequency dictionary, master at least 50 basic verbs, and speak to Japanese tourists in your area. Don't be shy.
3) Watch Japanese anime to train your ear, and also to learn basic expressions.
4) List all objects that you see at your house, find the Japanese equivalent of their names, install a Japanese IME/keyboard on your PC, encode everything in Japanese, print them out on a small paper, and paste the paper on each object at your house. Tedious, but it works.
5) Use apps (e.g. Anki, Memrise, Duolingo, etc.) to review words.
6) Find the nearest Japan Foundation in your area and take their free conversation classes.
7) Post Japanese notebook entries and questions here on Italki.
December 15, 2017
3

Hi, here is a copypasta I made for a friend. 

Basic Grammar:
>A Basic Dictionary to Japanese grammar ($$$)
>Tae Kim's guide to Japanese grammar (Free)

Vocabulary:
>There are a lot of Memrise courses, alternatively, you can use Anki

Kanji:
>Memrise or Anki decks
>Remembering the Kanji (book, $$$)
>Reviewing the Kanji (Website, Free)

General grammar, reading and stuff
> japanesetest4you.com

December 11, 2017
3

I have been interested in learning Japanese for a while. The best resource I know of is one my Spanish language partner gave me: It's called Minato (https://minato-jf.jp/Home/Index). It can get you up to an A2 level. 

A popular book I have heard about is Genki, but I haven't actually used it myself, so I can't comment on its effectiveness. Apparently it's not good for self-learners?

You should start by learning Hiragana and Katakana so you can start reading as many resources as possible. Obviously there will be some Kanji involved, but knowing the two other simpler syllabaries will help you remember what you are learning. (Though maybe you've already gotten to this point - if so, ignore this.)

Take a look through the /r/japaneseresources subreddit to see if anything tickles your fancy: https://www.reddit.com/r/japaneseresources/

I would also recommend grabbing a hold of a word frequency list or at least the list of Kanji and vocabulary from the JPLT to aid your learning.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. I'm still pretty new at this, too. Happy learning!

December 11, 2017
2
Genki textbooks! Handsdown one of the best resources and then of course a language partner to practice with.
December 11, 2017
Show more
Emil Khalikov
Language Skills
English, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish
Learning Language
English, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
Articles You May Also Like
Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
12 likes · 11 Comments
How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments
Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
10 likes · 6 Comments
More articles